On the 20th of September, I will be attempting to complete the Salmon Run: 43 miles from the coast at Exmouth to the upper waters of Dulverton, mirroring the journey of the endangered Exe Atlantic Salmon. These remarkable fish undertake an extraordinary migration to return to the natal rivers to spawn but have declined precipitously in recent years and may soon be gone for good. Weirs, water pollution, habitat degradation and warming climate are but a few of the likely drivers in this sad story. The Exe is a river close to my own heart, having spent many happy childhood years fishing for stoneloach and bullhead at Withypool and occasionally snatching one of the speedier trout (in hindsight, these were more likely salmon fry), beginning my love of fly fishing on this river, and now having the privilege of having worked all around the catchment. Wandering through Exeter in the early hours of the morning, switch rod in hand and waders on, it amazes me how few of the people living around this river now realise that we still have Atlantic salmon here. The Salmon Run, set up by Exe Tidelines, seeks to connect people once again with the story of salmon in our river. I'll be taking part this year with the 43 mile ultra, fundraising for Westcountry Rivers Trust, the charity that I work for. Your donation will help support our work in the Exe catchment to address the causes of freshwater biodiversity loss and the salmon, through projects such as riparian tree planting, Weir removals / easements and habitat restoration.